For a lot of businesses, the thought of outsourcing cleaning is non-negotiable simply because of presumed associated costs. But is it actually possible to save money by using a commercial cleaning service?
In this blog, we will explore why regular commercial cleaning might be saving more than you think.
Sentrex Services stands as a leading provider of comprehensive cleaning and hygiene solutions, serving a vast region from the Northwest to the Southeast of England. With a dedicated team of over 600 professionals, we deliver bespoke cleaning services tailored to the unique needs of each commercial client.
The key signs to indicate the need for commercial cleaning
The decision to hire a commercial cleaning service is often driven by a number of visual cues. Even if you have an in-house cleaning staff, some of the more intricate cleaning responsibilities may need to be passed on to a commercial cleaning service.
That being said, here are the signs you need to be aware of:
- Visible dirt and dust: You see dirty floors (that feel gritty even after a sweep), dusty surfaces, fingerprints, and smears on glass, and buildup on air vents, skirting, and high ledges.
- Persistent odours: Unpleasant smells linger in bathrooms, kitchens, or meeting rooms, indicating a need for deeper degreasing and sanitising beyond a quick wipe.
- Neglected key areas: Bathrooms frequently run out of supplies, have visible limescale, or smell by midday. Breakout tables are sticky, and microwave interiors are dirty.
- Pest sightings: Even a single sighting of pests, often near bins or food residue, is a sign that basic cleanliness routines are failing.
- Overflowing bins and dirty dishes: Rubbish is overflowing, or there are constantly dirty dishes piled up in the kitchen sink.
- In-house failings: If any of the signs you have noticed have not been rectified by current cleaning staff (within reason) it could be a sign to explore a different method of cleaning.
- Simple cleaning isn’t enough: Whether it’s a carpet that still has stains, or smells that can’t seem to go, you will quickly be able to tell when certain areas require a deep clean with specialised equipment. (this is especially true in certain spaces such as food prep etc). In such cases, it can be cheaper to use a commercial cleaning service rather than buying the necessary equipment, and providing training to operate them.
How exactly does commercial cleaning help you save money?
Bypassing in-house costs
When you hire in-house cleaners, the cost is much more than just the hourly wage. Overheads are included, These can include:
- Management fees – You save on recruitment fees, vetting, training, managing payroll, and administrative tasks.
- Benefits and leave – You are no longer responsible for costs like sick pay, holiday pay, pensions, National Insurance contributions, and other employee benefits.
- Cover and management – The commercial cleaning company manages staff scheduling, finds cover for staff sickness or holidays, and handles all quality control, freeing up your management time for core business activities.
2. Avoiding spend on equipment and supplies
A commercial cleaning company takes on the cost of purchasing, maintaining, and replacing professional-grade equipment and supplies. You avoid the significant upfront cost (which can be thousands of pounds) for industrial-grade vacuums, floor scrubbers, carpet cleaners, and other specialised machinery.
Furthermore, the cleaning contractor provides all necessary cleaning products, including high-quality, professional-grade chemicals, and covers the cost of equipment repairs and maintenance.
In addition, commercial cleaning firms often purchase supplies in bulk, securing discounts that individual businesses cannot, which is reflected in a more competitive service fee.
3. Better hygiene = better efficiency
By opting for a commercial cleaner who professionally cleans and supports hygienic workspace, you directly impact your employees, leading to an indirect, but substantial, financial gains. But how exactly?
- Fewer sick days: A high standard of hygiene and sanitisation, particularly in high-touch areas, reduces the spread of germs and bacteria, leading to lower employee absenteeism and lost workdays.
- Increased focus on core tasks: Your regular staff no longer spend billable time on cleaning duties, allowing them to focus entirely on activities that generate revenue for the business.
- Higher morale and productivity: Employees are generally more motivated, productive, and satisfied in a clean, healthy, and visibly well-cared-for environment.
4. Protecting assets & reducing maintenance costs
Expert cleaning services like Sentrex preserve your business premises and assets, reducing the need for costly repairs or replacements. Professional cleaners use the correct equipment and non-abrasive, tailored chemicals for different surfaces (e.g., specific flooring, furniture), preventing damage, wear, and tear.
By opting for regular, deep cleaning, it can help to prevent issues like mould, mildew, floor damage, and pest problems, which can be significantly more expensive to fix later.
5. Minimising risk, liability, and compliance costs
Commercial cleaning services take on the responsibility and liability associated with cleaning staff and activities.
Commercial cleaning services ensure all cleaning operations adhere to relevant health and safety regulations, such as COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health), fire safety, and risk assessments, protecting your business from potential fines or legal issues.
Reputable contractors carry their own comprehensive liability insurance, protecting your business from financial risk in the event of an accident or damage caused by their staff.
Comparison summary: In-house cleaner vs. commercial cleaning services
In-House Cleaner/Team | Commercial Cleaning Service | |
Cost | Higher hidden costs: Includes salary, benefits, sick/holiday pay, recruitment, training, equipment purchase/maintenance, supplies, and liability insurance. | Predictable fixed cost: Flat contract fee includes labour, all equipment, supplies, management, and insurance. Often more cost-effective in the long run. |
Control & Flexibility | High control: Direct control over schedules, specific tasks, and immediate response to spills/urgent needs. | Less direct control: Bound by the contract’s scope and schedule. Less able to demand immediate/ad-hoc changes to daily routine. (depending on the service you use). |
Expertise & equipment | Limited: May lack specialised training, equipment (e.g., industrial scrubbers, steam cleaners), and up-to-date industry compliance knowledge. | High expertise: Teams are professionally trained in cleaning techniques, safety, and regulatory compliance (like COSHH). Access to industrial-grade equipment. |
Reliability & Coverage | Low reliability: Service can be disrupted by staff sickness, vacation, or turnover, requiring you to manage cover. | High reliability: The company is responsible for providing trained cover staff for absences, ensuring consistent service. |
Admin Burden | High: Includes recruiting, hiring, payroll, HR management, performance reviews, ordering supplies, and managing equipment. | Low: The cleaning company handles all management, staffing, training, and HR issues for the cleaning team. |
Best For | Small, simple spaces with stable, predictable cleaning needs. Businesses where a dedicated, internal presence is a priority. | Medium to large facilities, spaces with high-traffic/complex cleaning needs, and businesses that need reliable consistency and cost predictability. |
Saving money with cleaning services - Sentrex makes it possible
At Sentrex, we prioritise commercial, industrial, and specialist cleaning services. Our services aren’t just a standard once-over, we ensure a comprehensive and individually tailored approach perfect for any site.
Here is a list of some of the many services we provide:
- Chemical degreasing
- Steam cleaning
- Pressure washing
- Commercial carpet cleaning
- Rubbish clean up
- Window cleaning
- Exterior cleaning
- Deep cleaning
In this blog, we hope to have provided valuable information by highlighting why regular commercial cleaning might be saving you more than you think.
Our commitment to fair pricing, environmental sustainability, and personalised service sets us apart. We prioritise quality through rigorous control measures, including monthly audits with advanced software, real-time management via iPads, and an automated time and attendance system.
As members of esteemed trade bodies, we adhere to the highest industry standards. Beyond core cleaning, we offer a full suite of soft and hard FM services, ensuring comprehensive building maintenance. Want to know if our services apply to your business or site? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to secure a superior clean.
